Old thread for a cheap and simple Power Buffer...?

[Zerogee]

Does anyone recall, probably a good few years back, a discussion on here about making very cheap power buffers using only a single (fairly large) capacitor and just a couple of other common components, from memory maybe a resistor and a diode (or two)?

I've tried to find the old thread, but failed... maybe someone else can do better?

I think it was way back in the BC (Before Flu) times....

Jon.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Does anyone recall, probably a good few years back, a discussion on here about making very cheap power buffers using only a single (fairly large) capacitor and just a couple of other common components, from memory maybe a resistor and a diode (or two)?

I've tried to find the old thread, but failed... maybe someone else can do better?

I think it was way back in the BC (Before Flu) times....

Jon.

It might even have been when we were Mad

I vaguely recall it

 

[Zerogee]

It might even have been when we were Mad

I vaguely recall it

I don't think it was quite THAT long ago... I only joined the forum just before G Scale Mad folded and then arose from the ashes as Central, and it was long after that - I reckon it's within the last ten years, but I've still had no luck finding it!

It was something pretty simple, a large 35v capacitor with just a resistor and a diode (possibly in parallel?) soldered to one of the Cap legs - the thing is, I bought a bunch of the components at the time from Rapid, intending to make some - of course, like 99% of plans, it never happened - and then today I found the bag of parts while sorting through some spares and stuff, which prompted me to go (unsuccessfully) looking for the original thread...

Jon.

 

[Zerogee]

Off-topic, I've just noticed something rather weird (and slightly sinister) with my first post.... I typed the word C.O.V.I.D. in the "BC" comment, but something in the forum CHANGED IT to "FLU" instead! I even just tried to edit it back, and it won't let me - no warning, it just changes the word!

Are we beset by creeping censorship, and banned from typing particular words...?

Jon.

 

[PhilP]

That would be a 'feature', Sir!

Someone, somewhere, when writing the code, let their tin-foil hat slip, and they were infected by the 5G..

PhilP.

 

[ge_rik]

Might have been a link to my old blog post about a DIY power buffer

How I fitted my own DCC power buffers

Narrow gauge large scale model garden railway. Battery powered, radio controlled locomotives, some Bluetooth. Set in Cheshire UK in 1930s

riksrailway.blogspot.com

Rik

 

[Zerogee]

That's the one, Rik! Thanks!

I think I've found the actual forum thread I was thinking of...

Thread 'DIY Power buffer'

19 Jun 2013

Just been browsing through the latest edition of Voie Libre (#73) http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?m=277016&high= < Link To http://www.forum.gscalece...spx?m=277016&high=
and it looks to me as if there is an article on making your own power buffers. My French is not sufficiently adept to be able to translate the article and as yet they've not yet posted an English translation on their website.

From my shaky translation and looking at the photos it looks as if it's little more than a large (or several smaller) electrolytic capacitor, a diode and a resistor wired somewhere into the...

• ge_rik
• Replies: 87
• Forum: Digital (DCC)

the only trouble is that it's so old, many of the pics have disappeared over the years, including the circuit diagrams!

Still it's a start.... I'll have a read through your blog post, Rik, that should set me in the right direction.

Jon.

 

[dunnyrail]

Might have been a link to my old blog post about a DIY power buffer

How I fitted my own DCC power buffers

Narrow gauge large scale model garden railway. Battery powered, radio controlled locomotives, some Bluetooth. Set in Cheshire UK in 1930s

riksrailway.blogspot.com

View attachment 360403

Rik

As ever your stuff is top notch. I fitted a Massoth power buffer to a Stainz conversion and could not get it to work, in effect the loco just sat there with the sound being apparently powered by the buffer. Looks like CV29 will be the issue according to your nites, how often does that dratted CV29 catch out the unwary!